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SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT KICKS OFF NEW CITIZENS’ ACADEMY

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT KICKS OFF NEW CITIZENS’ ACADEMY

September 25, 2002

The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department begins its Fall 2002 Citizens’ Academy on Oct. 1, once again inviting interested residents of Doña Ana County to better understand how rural law enforcement functions.

“The Citizens’ Academy is designed to increase understanding between residents and the Sheriff’s Office through education,” said Sheriff Juan Hernandez. “Our intent is to acquaint residents with law enforcement’s role in the criminal justice system and to provide increased understanding of the many tasks that deputies face in their daily work.”

The academy entails nine weeks of instructional training, including seminars on community policing, police recruitment, police ethics, communications, traffic duties, gangs, drug interdiction, officer safety, use of force, Constitutional rights, bomb squad duties and building searches. Those who participate also see traffic-stop demonstrations, as well as canine demonstrations and a day at the shooting range. The tenth week is dedicated to a graduation ceremony.

Most classes are held Tuesday evenings from 6 – 10 p.m. in the Training Room of the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department Headquarters at 750-A Motel Blvd., in Las Cruces.

“Our philosophy of community-oriented policing seeks to create a partnership with area residents,” Hernandez said. “The academy is one component which we hope will help interested parties pro-actively address law-enforcement concerns in their individual neighborhoods. The academy is just one way in which we are striving to develop a sense of cooperation in our common goal of providing a safe and secure community for all Doña Ana County residents.”

For more information on this and future academies, contact Deputy Alan Franzoy at (505) 525-1911. Residents calling from outside the Las Cruces area may call toll-free at 1-877-827-7200 and request a connection to the Sheriff’s Department.